An Uncle Sam statue on Broadway was tipped over, the noggin subsequently popping off, after a group of men was seen messing with the statue around 2:45 a.m. Sunday.

On-duty Police Sgt. Matthew Montanino said he saw several men acting suspiciously on Broadway between Church and Third streets. Police said as Montanino got closer, the subjects fled on foot, leaving behind the "Annotation" Uncle Sam that had been broken from its pedestal and had its head broken off.

Police said Montanino chased the men, and apprehended one. Michael J. Siler, 22, of Watervliet, was charged with second-degree criminal mischief. The terms of his release and future court date are unknown. The broken Uncle Sam is now in Troy police evidence lock-up.

The fiberglass Uncle Sams have graced downtown's streets for more than a month, each plain statue being decorated by a local artist. In February, when the statues arrived in Troy, two had already been damaged in the move.

And early last month, graffiti was found written near four Uncle Sam statues, including the one vandalized Sunday.